Multiple cartridge gas club



March 22, 1966 J. M. MCBRIDE 3,241,259

MULTIPLE CARTRIDGE GAS CLUB Filed'July 29, 1964 INVENTOR JAMES M. MOBR/DE F G. BY

m M m ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,241,259 MULTIPLE CARTRIDGE GAS CLUB James M. McBride, 19 Gakknoll Road, Ukiah, Calif. Filed July 29, 1964, Ser. No. 385,936 2 Claims. (Cl. 42-1) This invention relates to a weapon of the type useful in close combat as experienced by law enforcement ofcers and the military, and more particularly to a club or billy having a mechanism for repetitively tiring a plurality of noxious gas cartridges.

Certain prior art clubs of which I am aware have provisions for a single charge of noxious gas producing substance, such as for example the hand weapon described in Patent No. 2,861,373. The device described therein is quite satisfactory except that it has provisions for only one charge of noxious gas producing substance. By way of contrast, the device of the present invention includes provisions for a plurality, for example ve or six, tear ga-s cartridges and a novel billy structure which affords expeditious loading and use of the club.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a weapon useful both as a club and as a multiple cartridge tear gas gun whe-rein the two uses are compatibly integrated in unitary structure. The stated object is achieved by providing a cylindric structure forming a club and which has therewithin a firing pin mechanism and a cylinder having chamber for tear gas cartridges. The firing pin extends longitudinally Within the club and is actuated by a rocker arm trigger which constitutes the only exterior protuberance on the club. The cylinder is formed with an exterior surface of the same diameter as the remainder of the club so that, while the cylinder is accessible for rotation to move charged cartridges into alignment with the tiring pin, the cylinder does not protrude and therefore does not interfere with the weapon when used as a club. The aforementioned parts are retained in operative relation by a sturdy centrally extending rod so that the integrity of the device is maintained even when brought forcefully against a solid object.

Another object of this invention is to provide a billy wherein a plurality of tear gas or like noxious gas cartridges can be disposed and sequentially fired by a combatant using the club. Thus when the combatant is in continuing combat with one or more adversaries, control of the adversaries and their subsequent apprehension can be effected even though the effects of one tear gas discharge may be dissipated before submission is effected.

Still another object is to provide a device of the type referred to above in which the construction is relatively simple but in which the exhausted cartridges can be readily replaced by full cartridges. This object is achieved by providing a club wherein a handle containing the firing pin is axially slidable with respect to the chamber housing the cartridges. Thus, -sliding of the handle to an open position exposes simultaneously all of the cartridge receiving chambers.

Yet another object is to provide a club of the type described in which the sliding handle is rotatively positioned with respect to the remainder of the device so that the firing mechanism is always aligned with a gas discharged barrel in the club. Achievement of this object promotes rapid reloading of the device since -misalignment of the barrel with respect to the firing pin is impossible.

These and other objects will be more apparent after referring to the following specification and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved club;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-section view of a billy club constructed according to the present invention and with the club in a closed position;

3,241,259 Patented Mar. 22, 1966 ICC FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-section of the club of the present invention taken along a plane from that of FIG. 2 and showing the device in an opened. position at which exhausted cartridges can be removed for replacement by full cartridges;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 and showing certain details of the cartridge receiving cylinder;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3 and showing the details of the locking mechanism of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional View taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3 and showing in detail the structure for retainmg' rotative alignment between the handle and the remaining portions of the club.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the billy club as shown in FIG. l of the present invention includes a forward section A of generally elongate cylindric form, a cartridge receiving cylinder B of approximately the same diameter as the forward section and axially mounted with respect thereto, and a handle section C which is mounted for slidable movement between an open and closed position along the longitudinal axis of the club. Handle section C is provided with a trigger mechanism D for firing the tear ga-s cartridges.

Forward section A includes a barrel 12 terminating in a muzzle 14 in one longitudinal end of the forward section. The forward section is centrally bored at 16 to receive therein a rod 18 which is xed to the forward section by a transverse pin 20 that extends through the forward section and the rod. Pin 20 is merely exemplary of any number of expedients for securing rod 18 to the forward section. Longitudinally and diametrically opposite muzzle 14 forward section A is formed with a depression 22 for receiving a detent ball 24 biased by a spring 26.

Cylinder B is centrally bored for running iit on rod 18 and is retained against longitudinal movement by a retaining ring or the like 28. Cylinder B is formed with a plurality of cartridge chambers 30 spaced from the center bore thereof by an amount equal to the spacing of barrel 12 from rod 18. In one weapon made according to my invention, six chambers are formed in the cylinder to receive .38 caliber tear gas cartridges. It will be noted that in the embodiment shown in the drawing, detent ball 24 is positioned diametrally of barrel 12, as a consequence of which ball engages the cylinder from the cylinder aligned with the barrel. Thus, as cylinder B is rotated to bring individual chambers 30 into alignment with barrel 12, the chambers are there maintained in position by engagement of the detent ball with the chamber in the opposite portion of the cylinder.

Handle C is slidably mounted on rod 18 by way of a central bore 32 extending through the handle. The outer portion of bore 32 toward the left as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3, is provided with slots 34 which slots slidably embrace a pin 36 mounted adjacent the end of rod 18. Because slots 34 extend only partially through handle C, they limit the sliding movement of the handle with respect to rod 18 to an amount suliicient to permit insertion Iand removal of cartridges in chambers 30 of cylinder B. Additionally, the slots 34 serve to prevent relative rotative movement between handle C and rod 18.

An end plate 38 is disposed on the outer end of handle C and is maintained in proper rotative position with respect to the handle by a pair of pins 40 which are received in complementary holes in the end of the handle. Plate 38 includes a centrally threaded flange 42 which is formed on the inner end thereof with a pair of diametrally aligned slots 44 for receiving pin 36 when the handle is moved to the closed position, that is, the position shown in FIG. 2. Consequently, when the handle is moved to the closed position, it is precisely rotatively aligned with respect to barrel 12 in forward section A. The outer end of rod 18 is interiorly threaded at 46, which threaded portion forms a continuation of threaded portion 42 when handle C is in the closed position. An exteriorly threaded member 48 is provided for securing handle C in the closed position by engagement with threaded portions 42 and 46. Threaded member 48 can be provided with an apertured extension 50 for attaching a lanyard or the like to the device.

Parallel with rod 18 and spaced therefrom, handle C is formed with a channel 52 for slidably supporting a firing pin 54. A compression spring 56 is mounted in circumscribing relation to the firing pin for moving the firing pin against the primer of a cartridge in cylinder B. Exterior plate 38 firing pin S4 is provided with a knob 58 for cocking the device. Trigger mechanism D includes a trigger 60 mounted on handle C for pivotal movement on a pin 62 which trigger has a sear 64 for engaging the tiring pin and a spring 65 for biasing the sear into engagement with the tiring pin. The firing pin is provided with a first sear notch 66, at which position the tiring pin is only slightly withdrawn from the fully released position, and a second sear notch 68, which when engaged by sear 64, holds ring pin 54 in a full cocked position. A transversely slidable safety 70 is preferably included.

In operation threaded member 48 is removed, permitting sliding movement of handle C with respect to rod 18 to an open position, at which position chambers 30 in cylinder B can be filled with charged gas cartridges. Handle C is then moved to a closed position and there secured by threaded member 48. Because pin 36 aligns with slots 44, registry of firing pin 54 with barrel 12 is assured. Alignment of a chamber in cylinder B with the firing pin and barrel 12 is assured by engagement of detent ball 24 into a chamber on the opposite side of cylinder B. Engagement of sear 64 into sear notch 66 removes the tiring pin from contact with a cartridge and thus enables the cylinder to be rotated to present; a new cartridge to the tiring pin. Cocking of the device is effected by withdrawing knob 58 until sear 64 engages sear notch 68. Unless the weapon is ready for immediate firing, safety 70 is engaged by sliding it to one side or thc other. When it is desired to discharge a gas cartridge, the safety is centered and the trigger depressed to release the sear pin from engagement, whereupon the firing pin moves toward the cartridge, rightwardly as viewed in FIG. 2, and ignites the primer of the cartridge. To ready another cartridge for discharge, the firing pin is moved to the first position, that is with sear 64 engaged in sear notch 66 and the cylinder may be rotated to align a fresh cartridge with the ring pin and with barrel 12. Of course, the weapon may be used as a billy club independently of or concurrently with its use as a noxious gas discharging device. With the tiring pin in the position at which sear notch 66 is engaged by a sear 64, the device can be used as a club without danger of inadvertent discharge of gas. When it is desired to replenish the cartridges, threaded member 48 is removed, and handle C is moved to the open position.

Although forward section A and handle section C are shown as wood in the accompanying drawings, it is tol be understood that such is exemplary and that other materials, such as plastic, metal, hard rubber, and the like, can be used with effectiveness.

Thus, it will be seen that I have provided a billy club having provisions for a plurality of gas cartridges which can be sequentially fired. Consequently, a law enforcement oflicer can control two or more assailants without the dangers inherent in certain prior art devices having only one tear gas discharge. While one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be obvious that other adaptations and modifications can be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

ll. A weapon for use by hand-to-hand combatants comprising a forward section of generally cylindric configuration, a rod mounted along the cylindric axis of said forward section and extending from one end thereof, said forward section having a barrel therethrough radially spaced from said rod and parallel thereto, a cylinder journalled for rotation about said rod and in abutting relation to one end of said forward section, said cylinder having a plurality of chambers radially spaced from said rod and parallel thereto for sequential registry with said barrel upon rotation of said cylinder around said rod, a handle section slidably secured on said rod for movement between a closed position and an open position, cartridge tiring pin means disposed in said handle section, and means for indexing said handle section with respect to said rod so that said firing pin means is in longitudinal alignment with the barrel in said forward section when said handle is moved to the closed position, said handle indexing means comprising means secured to said rod forming a radial projection therefrom and an opening in said handle for receiving said rod, said opening being complementary with said projection to prevent rotative movement between said handle section and said rod.

2. A weapon for use by hand-to-hand combatants comprising an elongate cylindric forward section, a rod affixed to said forward section and extending along a line concentric with the cylindric axis thereof, said forward section defining a barrel parallel to and spaced radially from said rod for defining a noxious gas discharge passage, a cylinder mounted for rotation about said rod in abutting relation to one end of said forward section, said cylinder having a plurality of chambers spaced parallel to said rod and radially therefrom by an amount equal to the radial spacing of said barrel from said rod whereby said cylinder can be rotated relative said forward section to bring said chambers sequentially into communication with said barrel, each said chamber being formed to receive therein a cartridge containing a primer and a noxious gas producing charge, a handle slidably mounted on said rod for movement between a closed position at which said handle abuts said cylinder and an open position in which said handle is spaced from said cylinder by an amount sufficient to permit insertion and removal of cartridges from said chambers, a firing pin mechanism in said handle extending parallel to said rod and spaced radially therefrom by an amount equal to the radial spacing of said barrel from said rod, means mounted on said rod within said handle for ixedly positioning said handle against rotation so that said tiring pin is aligned with said barrel, and means for securing said handle in the closed position, said handle positioning means comprising a pin transpiercing said rod substatially diametrally thereof and protruding therefrom, and said handle being formed with elongate slots interiorly thereof to slidably embrace the protruding ends of said pin.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 752,893 2/1904 Evensen 42--1 1,284,580 1l/1918 Brzostowski et al 42-52 2,046,523 7/1936 Marquis 42-1 2,634,535 4/1953 Borders 42-1 BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner, 

1. A WEAPON FOR USE BY HAND-TO-HAND COMBATANTS COMPRISING A FORWARD SECTION OF GENERALLY CYLINDRIC CONFIGURATION, A ROD MOUNTED ALONG THE CYLINDRIC AXIS OF SAID FORWARD SECTION AND EXTENDING FROM ONE END THEREOF, SAID FORWARD SECTION HAVING A BARREL THERETHROUGH RADIALLY SPACED FROM SAID ROD AND PARALLEL THERETO, A CYLINDER JOURNALLED FOR ROTATION ABOUT SAID ROD AND INABUTTING RELATION TO ONE END OF SAID FORWARD SECTION, SAID CYLINDER HAVING A PLURALITY OF CHAMBERS RADIALLY SPACED FROM SAID ROD AND PARALLEL THERETO FOR SEQUENTIAL REGISTRY WITH SAID BARREL UPON ROTATION OF SAID CYLINDER AROUND SAID ROD, A HANDLE SECTION SLIDABLY SECURED ON SAID ROD FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A CLOSED POSITION AND AN OPEN POSITION, CARTRIDGE FIRING PIN MEANS DISPOSED IN SAID HANDLE SECTION, AND MEANS FOR INDEXING SAID HANDLE SECTION WITH RESPECT TO SAID ROD SO THAT SAID FIRING 